McMahon spends $27 million for US Senate campaign

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HARTFORD — Former wrestling magnate Linda ­McMahon has loaned or contributed more than $27 million from her personal fortune to her current US Senate campaign, according to finance ­records obtained Friday.

The latest filing with the Federal Election Commission brings to more than $77 million the amount that the Republican has spent pursuing a Senate seat, including a 2010 bid in which she lost to Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

The wealth of the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, now WWE, has given her an advantage against US Representative Chris Murphy, a Democrat and a three-term congressman who has raised more than $8 million. Polls show a close race as the rivals battle to succeed US Senator Joe Lieberman, an ­independent who is retiring at the end of this session.

A Murphy campaign spokesman, Eli Zupnick, said that ­McMahon is using the money to run a campaign of ‘‘failed right-wing policies.’’

‘‘Just like she did in 2010, Linda McMahon is spending tens of millions of dollars that she made at the WWE selling sex and violence to children to fund her desperate campaign of lies, smears, and attack ads,’’ he said.

Spokesman Todd Abrajano said McMahon cannot be bought by special interests.

‘‘During his six years in Congress, however, Chris Murphy has made it clear that if you’ve got the checkbook, he’s got your back,’’ Abrajano said. “Whether it was voting for a $400 million dollar bailout for his hometown bank in return for campaign contributions or sponsoring legislative amendments for the insurance industry in return for nearly $20,000 in PAC money, Congressman Murphy is always open for business.”

The filing at the Senate ­Office of Public Records show that McMahon loaned her campaign $14.8 million in the most recent reporting period, July 26 to Sept. 30. She reported $309,000 in outside donations in the reporting period, and a total of $975,000 in outside contributions to date.

Murphy raised $2.7 million over the reporting period and has not loaned his campaign any money, according to his campaign’s filings.